Trading Statement

Ricardo PLC
07 January 2008



                                  Ricardo plc

7 January 2007

                                 Trading Update


Ricardo plc is the leading UK independent automotive consultancy, employing over
1,800 people. The company has centres in the UK, USA, Germany, Czech Republic
India, Japan and China and the client list includes the world's major automotive
OEMs, energy companies, governments and industrial Tier 1's.

The Board of Ricardo plc is today providing a trading update in respect of the
five month period to the end of November 2007.  Ricardo plc will announce its
Interim Results on 27 February 2008.

We are pleased with the trading performance for the period. Within
our Technical Consulting division, the UK has performed well with solid growth
driven from work won in Asia. Recruitment of skilled engineers in Germany
continues to be a challenge to serve the increasing demand from the German
client base.  Following the successful change of leadership in the US a
subsequent restructuring programme to reduce the business cost base has been
implemented with the resulting costs being offset with improved trading
performance.  The Strategic Consulting Division continues to perform to plan and
broaden its sector and client base.

Order intake levels have remained strong, continuing to benefit from our wider
global customer base and as outlined in our earlier IMS, this has led to an
increase in both revenue and profit. Robust management of working capital is
expected to lead to only a modest increase to the closing net debt balance at
the half year, from the closing position at June 2007.

The combination of our performance to date, together with the strong order book
and pipeline, provides continued confidence in our prospects for the full year.


Further enquiries:

Ricardo plc
Dave Shemmans, Chief Executive                      Tel: [phone]
Paula Bell, Group Finance Director
Website: www.ricardo.com

Gavin Anderson & Company
Fergus Wylie                                        Tel: [phone]
Charlotte Stone
Michael Turner






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